Greenbrae man, 90, says gun battle was 'very traumatic'

A 90-year-old Greenbrae man who exchanged gunfire with a burglary suspect was released from Marin General Hospital on Thursday while the suspect remained under police watch at MGH.

Jay Leone, who was shot once in the face during the confrontation Wednesday, was transferred to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Terra Linda. A hospital staffer said Leone was in "great shape" and was able to eat solid food on Thursday night.

Leone, in a brief telephone interview, said he felt somewhat worse than the day before and could not speak at length.

"It was very traumatic," he said of the shooting incident.

Meanwhile, burglary suspect Samuel Joseph Cutrufelli, a 30-year-old Novato resident, remained in stable condition at MGH after surgery for three bullet wounds he received during the confrontation.

Twin Cities police were still investigating various aspects of the case throughout the day Thursday and into the night. Police said Cutrufelli was suspected of attempted murder and burglary, but prosecutors were waiting for additional reports before deciding whether to file charges.

The shooting occurred at about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Leone's two-story home at 300 Via La Cumbre. Police said Cutrufelli entered Leone's home, detained him at gunpoint and searched the residence for property.

Leone, a former member of the Marin County sheriff's air patrol, was able to get one of several guns in his home and shot the suspect. The suspect shot Leone and fled in a car, police said.

Leone called 911 from his house, and Cutrufelli called 911 after stopping his car just over the San Rafael border. Cutrufelli said he had shot himself and needed medical attention, police said.

Twin Cities police Chief Todd Cusimano said there is no evidence that any other suspects were involved in the burglary.

"It appears from evidence and statements from neighbors that the suspect was randomly knocking at front doors to houses along Via La Cumbre," Cusimano said. "When no one answered the door at 300 the suspect kicked the door open."

Cutrufelli's criminal history in Marin includes a 2001 attempted murder charge for stabbing a pedestrian numerous times during a confrontation in Novato. He pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to a six-year prison term.